LOIS GAIL CONWAY, 69 born in Bassett, VA, passed away peacefully of natural causes in her Las Cruces home October1, 2025, and she now moves on to join her daughter, Deidre, and her youngest son, Shane.

Lois wore many hats throughout her life, but the one of which she was most proud is the one that exemplifies who she was as a person, is how best she'd like to be remembered. At an age when most are thinking of retirement, Lois went on to college, earning her degree at New Mexico State University, and becoming a Special Education teacher for the Las Cruces school system.

She was a relentlessly upbeat woman of intense passions and interests. Her heart never really left the mountains of North Carolina, nor the close ties she had with her sisters there. She loved the beach, the sun on her shoulders, classic rock n' roll spinning on the phonograph, exercising, UNC basketball, Alabama football; she was rarely without a book in her lap, a rescue kitty at hand, a crochet project draped over the sofa, or a haranguing lecture for her boys about the worth of an education and making time to live their lives.

Lois knew the value of human connection – in equal measure, she knew how to share a tale and how to sit in a companionable silence, when to give advice and when to simply listen. When to kiss a boo-boo, and when to tell you to buck up. She was not always Mama, but she was always a mother: to her own children, to the neighborhood pack, to senior rescues, to the wayward lost boys that Shane and Erik brought home, to those who needed a mom the most – no matter their age. Selfless to a fault, fiercely independent, and, in a world that is far too callous, Lois was most of all kinds. She opened her home and her heart for all.

She is survived by her oldest son, Erik Evans, an attorney in Memphis (of which she constantly bragged, and would want you to know about, even as she goes kicking into the Beyond), and her grandchildren: Tori Ridenour (Auburn, AL), Isaac Evans (Las Cruces) and Dante Evans (Las Cruces). But her closest bond was always with her sisters (and sisters at heart), and her nieces and nephews: Becky Conway; Terry Conway and her children, Wesley Parker and Clare Parker; and Evelyn Sapp (all of North Carolina); Anne Nowlin and her children, Summer Jacobs and Cory Nowlin.

A celebration of Lois's life will be held at a later date in North Carolina – she always wanted to go home, and there she may rest.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a small donation to your local animal sanctuary or organization for special needs children.

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapel of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com